Meet Men’s Wellness Coach Carl Muir of The Provider

Meet Men’s Wellness Coach Carl Muir of The Provider

Meet Carl Muir, founder of the provider, whose unique life path has taken him from corporate marketer to fishing and tourism guide to now becoming a men’s wellness coach, and how through health coaching he now empowers men to rediscover their connection to nature, reclaim their energy, and tackle life’s hurdles. Dive into Carl’s experience as he shares his path and insights on why reconnecting with the rhythms of life and nature is essential for well-being.

“There is a vulnerability and release that you get with a group of men, out in the wild, whether that is around the campfire, on the boat, or in the forest, that you just won’t get in a clinical setting.”

Q&A: Meet Carl Muir

Meet Carl Muir, a Men’s Wellness Coach, the Provider’s visionary leader, and a passionate advocate for harmonising life with nature.

Q: Could you tell us about your background and how you transitioned into a career in health coaching?

My journey into health coaching began after years of hard graft as a self-employed Kiwi bloke. Despite professional success, I felt the weight of burnout and the impact of life’s challenges. I lost my father to cancer, my marriage dissolved, and I grappled with sleep and mental health issues. The search for purpose led me on a healing journey. I experimented with the tools conventional medicine offered, but they often worsened my condition. True healing came through a profound reconnection with nature, the deep exploration of my pain, and the elevation of my culinary skills, leading to a healthier diet and mindset. This transformative experience ignited my desire to help men facing similar struggles. I developed the Men’s Wellbeing Retreat as a beacon of hope and renewal.

Q: What motivated you to become a Health Coach?

My motivation was a deeply personal journey through life’s challenges in my early forties. I navigated burnout, emotional turmoil, and the loss of loved ones. Despite being common hurdles, the experience felt isolating. Traditional medical solutions didn’t resonate with me, and I knew there had to be another path to healing. My recovery came from reconnecting with my own kai, immersing myself in my pain, and embracing healthier eating, meditation, movement, and open conversations without judgment. My Men’s Wellbeing Retreat emerged as a way to offer a fresh start to men experiencing similar struggles.

Q: What are you doing now, since graduating as a Health Coach?

My primary offering is the Men’s Wellbeing Retreat, an immersive week-long experience. During the retreat, men disconnect from the daily grind, reconnect with nature, source and prepare their own nourishing kai through fishing diving and foraging, and embrace wellness through practices like yoga, meditation, forest bathing, and breathing exercises. We create an environment free from judgment, fostering open dialogue and expressions of gratitude and reverence—a departure from the frenetic pace of modern life.

It is also alcohol-free, a big change for many of the men attending who have been leaning on booze to get through. The journey began in 2019, with a mix of excitement and apprehension. I’d never attended, let alone led, a wellness retreat. I sought structure, scientific knowledge, and qualifications to support my instincts, leading me to enrol in the PREKURE Health Coach course. It marked a return to study after a significant hiatus but provided me with robust content to underpin my practices.

Q: Is there a particular aspect of health coaching that you are especially passionate about?

My profound passion centers on witnessing men’s transformation. When they initially reach out, they’re often fatigued, disillusioned, and lacking vitality and purpose. As they complete the retreat, their burdens often lighten, and a spark rekindles in their eyes. I revel in bringing men from diverse backgrounds together as kindred spirits, reconnecting them to the rhythms of life and the wisdom of nature. Life has its seasons; we don’t need to be in perpetual high gear. We must take time for reflection and rest, not only on a daily basis but also during extended periods in our lives. Connecting to elemental rhythms like the daily sun’s cycles, lunar phases, and starlit skies is a core part of my passion.

Q: Can you share a specific success story where your coaching has made a significant positive impact on a client’s life?

Everyone comments on how well they feel after eating clean and not drinking for four days. Recently I had someone who had lived with type 2 diabetes and inflammation for decades and at the end of the retreat he was free from joint pain for the first time since he could remember. There are deeper shifts, an early participant on my retreat was moved to tears during a group session, expressing profound gratitude for helping him remember what it feels like to be truly alive. He had suppressed the childhood gift of feeling other people’s energy but rediscovered it during the retreat. This to me epitomises the essence of the retreat—unearthing the innate gifts we possess by reconnecting with our senses through nature. Experiences of magic and the unexplained, weave throughout the journey, offering something that can only be understood by taking part. Some men make dramatic life changes post-retreat, like relocating from the city and embarking on new careers. Others return with a renewed perspective on life, simplifying their existence and embracing better ways to nourish their mind, body, and soul.

Q: How has your PREKURE training prepared you for real-world scenarios as a Health Coach?

One of the most significant aspects of my training with PREKURE is the ability to hold space for individuals sharing their experiences without offering immediate solutions or judgment. Listening and asking meaningful questions have been invaluable skills when men share their stories during the retreat. Additionally, the PREKURE training has been instrumental in developing my onboarding process for retreats. The practice, scenarios, and coaching provided were beneficial for real-life situations I would soon encounter.

Q: How has being a Health Coach enriched your life personally and professionally?

Flipping what I do, from a tourism offering, to a wellbeing experience has been life-changing. It feels like a calling, an opportunity to share what I was put on this Earth to do, at a time when men need it most. Redesigning my offerings has allowed me to prioritise my own well-being while helping others, making me feel rejuvenated and energised at the end of each working week.

Q: What advice would you give to those considering a career in health coaching?

Regardless of your current occupation or industry, we all need to reassess how we care for ourselves, our families, employees, communities, and the planet. Ask better questions, prioritise well-being, and integrate health coaching into both family life and any business. This shift towards a holistic approach to health and well-being is essential.

Q: What has it meant to you to be part of the PREKURE community and contribute to the transformation of our healthcare system?

The supportive community at PREKURE has been instrumental in upholding my commitment to trusting in the body’s innate healing wisdom. As the world grapples with the consequences of past choices, the need for Health Coaches is greater than ever. Real conversations and dialogue are essential in moving forward.

Q: What does the future hold for you?

Health statistics in our country have never been worse, and an increasing number of people are disillusioned with the impact of technology on their lives. We must retrace our steps back to simpler times, reconnect with nature, and tap into ancient wisdom and the mysteries of life. As more people awaken to holistic well-being, I believe they will seek more comprehensive approaches to healing. As virtual reality, AI, and screen addiction lead some down a concerning path, I look forward to offering a contrasting experience—sitting around a fire, barefoot, under the stars, engaging in profound conversations and exploring our origins.

Q: Is there anything else you would like to share with anyone considering a career as a Health Coach?

Many men who have attended my retreats were inspired to undertake the PREKURE Health Coach course themselves. I highly recommend it to anyone seeking to reshape the health outcomes of their community. The need for Health Coaches continues to grow, and your unique journey and insights can make a significant difference.

Connect with Carl 

For those who wish to connect with Carl and explore the transformative well-being journey he offers you can learn more at The Provider. Or reach out to Carl at [email protected]. 

Learn more about PREKURE’s Health Coach Courses and how you can turn your passion for health into a career and start on your journey to becoming a Health Coach.